Family-friendly Alberta Hikes

Debbie Olsen, For the Calgary Herald08.07.2009

Allstones Creek Hike: Even if your family finds it too difficult to hike all the way to the waterfall at Allstones Creek, everyone will enjoy the little creek and the fascinating geology of this part of David Thompson Country.

It was raining lightly at the Bear’s Hump trailhead in Waterton Lakes National Park, but as we debated whether to tackle the trail in the rain — something happened.

In one glorious moment, the clouds parted, the rain stopped and the sun shone down. The kids and I took it as a sign that we should head up the trail.

About five-minutes up the trail, we had another sign from above. The sky clouded over, the wind picked up and the rain started to pour down. By the time we reached the top, we were so drenched and cold that we barely looked at the view before running back down the trail. The funny thing is, the rainy day Bear’s Hump hike ranks as one of our more memorable family hikes.

Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Besides the benefits of spending time together being physically active, hiking is a wonderful way to teach children about nature.

Here are a few family favourites.

Bear’s Hump, Waterton Lakes National Park

The most popular hike in Waterton, this steep one-kilometre trail up Mount Crandell leads to a rock outcropping that is shaped like a grizzly’s hump and provides excellent views of the lake, the townsite, and the Prince of Wales Hotel. You’ll find the trailhead directly behind the visitor centre.

Although it is a short, one-hour hike, it isn’t the easiest hike in the park. It is a good starter hike for older children, teens and tweens. At the top, be careful to keep children away from the edge.

Other family-friendly options in Waterton include Cameron Falls Trail (1.2 km trail; directly behind the waterfalls), Blakiston Falls (1-km trail; starting from Red Rock), and Bertha Falls (1.5-km trail; starting from the townsite). Of these, Blakiston Falls Trail is the flattest and easiest for young children and toddlers.

Getting There: Located in the southwest corner of Alberta. (About a 2.5 hour drive from Calgary.)

Siffleur Falls, David Thompson Country

This five-km trail near Kootenay Plains Provincial Park in David Thompson Country leads across a suspension bridge, over a boardwalk and up to an absolutely stunning waterfall. At the top, you can take off your shoes and dangle your feet in the icy water while you enjoy a picnic lunch. Be careful not to get too close to the edge of the falls or the fast-flowing river and make sure children stay behind the guard rails. Another family-friendly hiking option in the area is the Allstones Creek Hike (four-km trail; follow Allstones Creek bed up to the falls.) Smaller children may not be able to do the entire hike, but will enjoy throwing rocks in the creek and observing the fascinating geological formations surrounding it.

Getting There: Located east of Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) on Highway 11. (About a three-hour drive from Calgary).

Path of the Glacier/Cavell Meadows Hike, Jasper National Park

The Path of the Glacier Interpretive Trail is ideal for families with younger children. This 1.8-km paved circuit trail has good interpretive signage and leads to the base of the Angel Glacier. The geology in this area is fascinating. Families with older children and teens will wish to go on and enjoy the more difficult 4.8-km Cavell Meadows hike. Hiking to the meadows takes about three hours, but it’s worth it. The meadows are famous for wildflower displays and there are great views of the glacier and the valley from this trail.

Other family-friendly hiking options in Jasper include Maligne Canyon (3.7-km trail; east of Jasper on Maligne Road) and Athabasca Falls (a short, paved trail; 30-km south of Jasper Townsite on Highway 93A). Athabasca Falls is a good short hike for younger children, but be sure to hold onto them at the lookouts.

Getting There: Jasper is 370 km northwest of Calgary.

Tips for hiking with kids

* The family that plans together . . . : Kids love to plan. Involve your children in the planning stages of your hiking trips — where to go, what to eat and what to take with you.

* Start small: Start with short, easy hikes and work your way up to longer ones. If you start with a trip that is too long and arduous, it may turn your kids off of hiking.

* Be a good scout: Bring water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, hand wipes or alcohol-based hand cleanser, a personal first aid kit (band aids, ointment etc.), pocket-sized Kleenex, and a trail map, if possible. And be sure to dress in layers; it can get cold at high altitudes.

Debbie Olsen is an Alberta-based freelance writer and mother of four children.

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